The National Post answers questions about unusual sights, curiosities and other oddities in the City of Toronto.

Q: I heard Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, is planning to build a new rail yard in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood – and the local councillor isn’t happy. Is that true, and why would this be a controversial proposal?

A: Metrolinx is planning several new rail yards for the city’s LRT network, slated for service by 2020 — and one would indeed be located just west of the intersection of Jane Street and Finch Avenue. The province has purchased the property and the early design process is underway, but Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti (York West) believes such a facility would put the already troubled Jane-Finch neighbourhood literally on “the other side of the tracks.”

Said Mr. Mammoliti: “It speaks volumes about what they think about one of the poorest pockets of the city…. It’s not going to be attractive. It’s going to be an eyesore. And they think it’s totally appropriate, and we don’t.”

The proposed rail yard, which would store and service vehicles used on the Finch West LRT line, would be on the north side of Finch, just west of Jane, Metrolinx spokeswoman Vanessa Thomas said.

“Rail and maintenance facilities are needed anytime you have a light rail system,” she said. “You need an area where you can maintain and store those vehicles.”

Rail yards would also be located along the Eglinton Crosstown LRT between Jane and Keele, and in Scarborough at the terminus of the Sheppard East LRT. The Jane-Finch site comprises about 20 acres of land, but before proceeding with any construction, Metrolinx plans to complete an environmental assessment, including public consultations.

Construction on the Finch LRT would ultimately run between 2015 and 2020, with the rail yard to be completed by 2014.